This
section focuses on sensors related technologies and innovation. It showcases
some of the more recent calls and requests for proposals and solutions,joint research and development projects, pilot
projects, tenders and calls for support. The section is open for submission.

A
prototype of the IMI concept (Integrated Medical Instrument) was developed in
the project. The IMI concept is based on a generic hardware platform for
intelligent digital sensors, using wirelesscommunicationto exchange
information with a Local Patient Computer (LPC). It currently supports four
separate sensors for registration and measurement of ECG, oxygen saturation,
pulse, temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and non-invasive blood
pressure.

Software
for the IMI and LPC was written to support the data acquisition process for ECG,
SP02 and temperature. The initial development of a medical verification database
for complex interpretation and analysis of the vital signs acquired by the MNI
was started. A medical decision support system based on principles of artificial
intelligence was applied to the interpretation of the ECG data. This system was
defined to run on LPC with minimum Windows 2000 functionality.

The
sensors defined in the concept provide a set of data necessary in most of the
scenarios of healthcare. The different market segments will use different combinations and different parts of the healthcare service
processes. The project is targeted at advanced homecare. This market segment will not be mature for years, but it will have a potential for growth
based on local- and nation-wide projects.

Gas Volume Measuring System for Very Small
Volumes (e.g. Anaerobic Digestion)

(CORDIS
focuse, No.42, May 2003, p.27)

A
German research institute offers a measurement technology for precise
determination of very small gas volumes (in ml range) produced over some days or
several weeks. This technology has been developed for small-size optimization
experiments with anaerobic digestion of various sources of biomass such as
sludge from municipal waste-water treatment plants or organic waste.

A Dutch company has developed fibre reinforced composite materials with
embedded optical fibre sensors. This enables several measuring capabilities, for example, measuring crack growth, vibrations, etc. The technology makes
it possible to build self-sensing highly loaded structures, including pressure tanks, flow lines, shafts and rollers. With the embedding of optical fibre
sensors it is possible to create smart self-sensing structures. This makes it possible to monitor changes in the structure or in its environment. The
optical fibre technology is very suitable to be applied in load-carrying structures. Another promising application is the integration of optical
sensors in composite pressure vessels to ensure the safety of the vessel. In combination with special rotary optical joints it is possible to apply
the technique in rotating objects.

A
group of European companies, including several high profile automobile
manufacturers (Fiat, Renault and Volvo), participated in the
ECONOX II project to develop an industrial grade gas sensor prototype. The
sensor examines the chemical composition of the engine exhaust at the tailpipe
for carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC). Mass
production of the sensor was achieved using screen-printing technology, meeting
industry standards for reproducibility and stability in performance. The testing
of the sensor revealed good sensitivity to CO, HC and N0^,
but unsatisfactory detection of NO.

Collaboration sought:Further research or development support; Manufacturing
agreement

The
sensor is made of a probe and electronic hardware that includes a
microprocessor. The
multifunctional liquid sensor measures different liquid parameters by using a
single hardware and different software. The
main reasons for the interest in this technology are novelty, safety and
multifunctionality. The applications of the sensor are manifold.

BAE
Systems has developed a range
of sensors that can detect corrosive influences caused by moisture, acidity,
ionic species and mass loss.Their
sensors are based on semiconductor and MEMS technology. They
have the additional feature of being adaptable to surface and structure type,
tailored to monitor the degradation characteristics that structure or surface is
most prone to. Their
particular interest lies in developing sensors that measure corrosion as well as
other environmental degradation mechanisms that affect materials. Development
may also include predictive models. This scope is important since corrosion can
take on many different forms.